When my father (My abuser) found out my wife was pregnant with our 1st child he made me promise him,
"Do a better job than I did. There were some times that I hit you around and did some other things. Learn from my mistakes and be a better father than I was."

It was the first time he admitted to me that what he did was wrong. He didn't directly apologize, but at least I got that much.

My wife and I are about to have our 6th child and i have kept that promise.
Along the way i also learned more about my grandfather. (Dad's Dad) My grandfather was abusive as well. My dads parenting skills were learned from my grandfather. Knowing this, I said to myself this abuse will not contiune with my children.